NYS Certified Teacher - UPK

As we like to say, “We’re not new to it, but we are true to it.”

The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester (YWCA) is the oldest and largest women’s organization in the region. For more than 90 years, YWCA has been on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest, most diverse women’s organizations in the US and the world.

We are committed to empowering people to create change in their lives and their communities. Whether we are providing supportive housing for homeless women, or cultivating girls to be leaders, or educating children for brighter futures, or standing up against racism, or putting health & wellness and competitive sports within reach of the underserved, we are there! Today we serve more than 4,000 people each week.

Our mission is real, genuine, and authentically pursued by the entire staff. We are positioned for IMPACT!

If this sounds interesting to you…keep reading!

The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester is looking to hire for a full-time NYS Certified Teacher for our UPK program.

The NYS Certified Teacher - UPK is responsible for the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team and functions as a team leader or co-leader. The Teacher plans and implements the center philosophy and curriculum and, with active participation of other members of the teaching team, works with parents and assesses the needs of individual children.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive

Early Childhood curriculum in coordination with other staff

• Develops daily individual and group lesson plans
• Assesses the development and needs of individual children on a regular basis and makes recommendations on any referrals to the Director
• Assists in organizing and maintaining child care room, supplies, and equipment
• Coordinates with the Child Care Coordinator in assigning program and household tasks in an equitable manner
• Maintains verbal and written communication with parents/guardians daily
• Interprets YWCA policy to assistants and parents
• Performs necessary routines and implements schedules in cooperation with other staff members
• Maintains health and safety standards according to licensing requirements
• Keeps abreast of current research and practices in Early Childhood Education and the needs of homeless children
• Develops positive relationships with the children
• Maintains necessary records
• May be called upon to take responsibility for staff and program supervision in the absence of the Child Care Director or Associate Director

• Provides input to the Child Care Director and Associate Director on the evaluation of staff
• Continuing search for understanding of racial, gender and class equity
• Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures
• Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Work alongside volunteers, where applicable
• Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background
• Developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by NAEYC Accreditation Standards are to be adhered to for all age groups.
• Follow OCFS regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field preferred.

Experience: Lead Teachers of groups for infants and toddlers must have at least one year of specific experience and/or training in infant and toddler care (Birth – 2nd grade). Any head of group responsible for supervising more than one staff person must have an additional two years of experience in staff supervision.

Licensing and/or Certifications: Meets minimum requirements of NY State Licensing regulations and NAEYC Accreditation Standards. Must pass medical examination and pass the State required Mantoux Intradermal Tuberculin Test.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of child development and curriculum planning
• Knowledge of Scholastics “ On My Way” curriculum.
• Core Competencies: collaboration, discernment/judgment, fostering diversity, planning and organizing/time management, problem solving, technical expertise, social justice advocacy, caring, communication: open/oral/written, continuous learning, crisis management, flexibility, initiative, interpersonal skills, professionalism, relationship building, reliability, consistent attendance, coaching

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.
Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. In certain situations, American Sign Language. Braille, or other language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.

Environmental Demands:
The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive:

• Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.
• Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
• Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities.
• Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment.
• Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times.

The Last Word…

The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester is a dynamic organization whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Each week over 4,000 women, children and their families are served through our childcare, nursery school, after-school, summer camp, athletic and mission-based programs. In addition, the YWCA provides a home for 193 low-income women at our Residence.

The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

COVID-19 considerations:
-Mandatory vaccination of all staff
-Personal protective equipment provided, but not required
-Temperature screenings
-Social distancing guidelines in place
-Virtual meetings
-Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place

Application Question(s):

• Does your licensing and/or Certifications meet the minimum requirements of NY State Licensing regulations and NAEYC Accreditation Standards?

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• being a Lead Teacher of groups for infants and toddlers: 1 year (Preferred)
• training in infant and toddler care (Birth – 2nd grade): 1 year (Preferred)
• staff supervision: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: One location